A
Augustina
Guest
How familiar this squabbling sounds. It reminded me immediately of a particular Bible verse I have heard many times since I was a small child:
People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them, and when the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.
Jesus, however, called the children to himself and said, "Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it."
Luke 18: 15-17
Do some of us not sound like the disciples just now?
And one more:
At that time Jesus said in reply, "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.
Matthew 11: 25-27
I will elaborate if this is not self-explanatory enough.
Let us first think of a small child. A child is innocent and trusting. He believes in Jesus with unfaltering faith. This is how Jesus calls us all to be. Jesus loved the children and set them forth as an example of how He calls all of us to be.
Think also of ourselves, as “adults.” We think we’re all grown- up, wise, spiritual, important. We are not. We are all children – children of God. When God looks at us, He does not view us as legal, driving, voting adults. No, He looks at us as His children. We are all on equal grounds as each other with God no matter our age – whether we are newly born, or on the deathbed and 100 years old. Let us humble ourselves and realize where we all stand in God’s eyes. This world’s standards and qualifications for adulthood have no meaning to God.
Let us also consider where Jesus says, “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” God may choose to reveal Himself to a five year old, and not to you. Does this appall you? Make you angry? Perhaps you think you’re better somehow than a small child, a nobody in this worldly world or ours. Remember, we are all children in God’s eyes. He is wise and knows to whom he will reveal Himself.
Let me also say, that I have known children who are wiser and kinder than many adults. Wisdom may come with age, but so can other things such as pride and selfishness.
Children who are extraordinary ministers can be an example as to how we should be; remember Christ stipulated that we become childlike in order to inherit His kingdom.
I will also add that I was the child who became a minister right after being confirmed. I was young, true, but I knew full well the gift and the responsibility that I had been blessed with in being able to administer the Body and Blood of Christ. It was an integral part of my maturing as a Christian. Think not of your own desires or how humiliating it may feel that Christ has chosen a child to receive the same great gift of ministry that you have. But, instead, rejoice that the next generation of Catholics desires to serve the Lord in whatever way He calls, and also consider the graces bestowed upon the child who ministers.
And I respect CatholicCid who is waiting to be a minister. Hang in there. You are a very wise young adult. I was born in 1985 and am young myself. I admire your courage and your maturing.
People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them, and when the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.
Jesus, however, called the children to himself and said, "Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it."
Luke 18: 15-17
Do some of us not sound like the disciples just now?
And one more:
At that time Jesus said in reply, "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.
Matthew 11: 25-27
I will elaborate if this is not self-explanatory enough.
Let us first think of a small child. A child is innocent and trusting. He believes in Jesus with unfaltering faith. This is how Jesus calls us all to be. Jesus loved the children and set them forth as an example of how He calls all of us to be.
Think also of ourselves, as “adults.” We think we’re all grown- up, wise, spiritual, important. We are not. We are all children – children of God. When God looks at us, He does not view us as legal, driving, voting adults. No, He looks at us as His children. We are all on equal grounds as each other with God no matter our age – whether we are newly born, or on the deathbed and 100 years old. Let us humble ourselves and realize where we all stand in God’s eyes. This world’s standards and qualifications for adulthood have no meaning to God.
Let us also consider where Jesus says, “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” God may choose to reveal Himself to a five year old, and not to you. Does this appall you? Make you angry? Perhaps you think you’re better somehow than a small child, a nobody in this worldly world or ours. Remember, we are all children in God’s eyes. He is wise and knows to whom he will reveal Himself.
Let me also say, that I have known children who are wiser and kinder than many adults. Wisdom may come with age, but so can other things such as pride and selfishness.
Children who are extraordinary ministers can be an example as to how we should be; remember Christ stipulated that we become childlike in order to inherit His kingdom.
I will also add that I was the child who became a minister right after being confirmed. I was young, true, but I knew full well the gift and the responsibility that I had been blessed with in being able to administer the Body and Blood of Christ. It was an integral part of my maturing as a Christian. Think not of your own desires or how humiliating it may feel that Christ has chosen a child to receive the same great gift of ministry that you have. But, instead, rejoice that the next generation of Catholics desires to serve the Lord in whatever way He calls, and also consider the graces bestowed upon the child who ministers.
And I respect CatholicCid who is waiting to be a minister. Hang in there. You are a very wise young adult. I was born in 1985 and am young myself. I admire your courage and your maturing.
(Got to be a kid at heart 
)